25th June 2016
Venue | Mar Hall, Bishopton
Photography | Ryan Mimiec Photography
“We got engaged in Queenstown, New Zealand, as we were living in Christchurch at the time. We were up Coronet Peak when Neil got down on one knee just as it started snowing. We started scouting for venues in a bit of a rush when we were back home in Scotland for holiday the following Christmas.
We viewed seven venues over three days and decided on Mar Hall straight away. We loved the luxury it offered and its location close to Glasgow Airport was a bonus for guests coming from abroad.
Our celebrant Susan Douglas-Scott helped us personalise our humanist ceremony. We had privately written reasons why we loved each other, so hearing these on the day was very emotional. We included a handfasting and passed a quaich around which contributed to the relaxed Scottish atmosphere we wanted to have. We had a piper too, of course!
Signing the register was a moment I’ll never forget. We asked a pianist to play ‘Nothing Else Matters’ by Metallica, the song that Neil proposed to. We also created a DIY photobooth complete with props and a Polaroid camera that went down a storm with our guests. Everyone left a message alongside their picture in a guest book.
Our filmmaker Lesley at LA DVD Creations was our star supplier. We almost didn’t book a videographer as weren’t sure we needed one, but we’re delighted we did now. Not only was she fantastic value for money, but she was happy to come to Mar Hall two hours earlier than planned at no extra cost. She even sent us a ‘teaser’ video clip while making our full video.
We laughed a lot during the speeches. Everyone did so well. I was particularly touched that my maid of honour wrote a speech. An unexpectedly scary moment was being punched in the face five minutes before the ceremony was due to start by one of my bridesmaids. It was a complete accident – she was meant to be helping me pull up my wedding dress!”
Top tip: “Make sure all members of the wedding party are aware of the running order throughout the day so they can help whenever needed. The last thing the bride and groom need on the day is continual clock watching.”
Dress and bridesmaids’ dresses Sarah Louise Bridal
Shoes Debenhams
Rings James Porter & Son
Groomswear MacGregor and MacDuff
Cake Bella’s Cakes
Flower Lorraine Wood Flowers
Stationery Weddings by Dove
Entertainment The Scraggly Cats
Filmmaker LA DVD Creations
Hair and makeup Dry Bar
